Managed by UC Berkeley, the the Blue Oak Ranch Reserve is home to mature, gnarled blue oaks, valley oaks and two species of live oak, not to mention endangered California tiger salamanders, Foothill yellow-legged frogs, native trout and river otters. It is the newest of 36 California reserves overseen by the 10-campus UC system's Natural Reserve System for research and education.
The reserve's faculty director is Todd Dawson, professor of environmental science, policy and management, and of integrative biology.